Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa
Video: Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat
Scottish Country Dances of the Eighteenth Century by Jack McConachie
Longways set in Reel time for 4 (or 5) couples —
3-couple dance — 32-Bar sequence.
STEPS: “Skip Change” Step (for travelling), and Pas de Basque (for setting)
MUSIC: “Arthur’s Seat”: “Lord Ramsay”. Tempo: 56 Bars per minute.
1 – 8 First and second couples dance right Hands Across once round (4 travelling steps), then first couple cast off (on own sides) to 2nd place (2 travelling steps), and set to each other (2 steps). Second couple lead up (with nearer hands), between first couple, on Bars 5–6, to finish at the top, (turning the nearer way into place) (Diagram 1).
9 – 16 First and third couples dance left Hands Across once round, then first couple cast off on own sides) to 3rd place, and set to each other. Third couple lead up (with nearer hands) between first couple, on Bars 13–14, to finish in 2nd place (turning the nearer way into place.)
17 – 24 First couple lead up (with nearer hands), to the top and cast off (on own sides), round 2nd couple and meet below them (4 travelling steps); first couple then lead down (with nearer hands) between third couple and cast up (on own sides), round them to pass each other by the left (in 2nd place) to finish facing their 1st Corners (4 travelling steps). Third couple move down on Bars 23–24 (Diagram 2).
25 – 30 First couple “set to Corners — set to partner” (Diagram 3) (see notes below), finishing with the lady facing up, and the man facing down (6 steps).
31 – 32 First couple turn by the right to own sides, in 2nd place.
First couple repeat from 2nd place (with third and fourth couples), and cross to own sides, to the bottom of the Set, on the last 2 steps, while fourth couple move up to 3rd place.
Each couple repeat in turn, as first couple.
- Notes: First couple release hands on Bar 4 and dance outwards, and down to 2nd place on the next 2 steps, while second couple join nearer hands (man’s right and the lady’s left), and lead up between the first couple on Bar 5, then release hands and dance out to own sides, in top place on Bar 6, turning the nearer way into place (the lady turning to her left, and the man to his right).
- The above also applies to first and third couples on Bars 13–14.
- “To the top” on Bars 17–18 means above second couple (who are in top place).
- “Set to Corners—set to partner.” First couple (beginning back to back with each other, facing their 1st Corners), set to 1st Corners (with Pas de Basque on the right foot), turning to their right, and at the same time moving slightly to the side, on the 2nd step (Pas de Basque on the left foot to face each other across the dance (2 steps).
- First couple set to each other (Pas de Basque on the right foot), turning to their right, and moving slightly to the side on the 2nd step, (Pas de Basque on the left foot), to face their 2nd Corners (2 steps).
- First couple then set to 2nd Corners, turning to their right and moving slightly to the side, on the 2nd step, to face each other up and down the dance (2 steps).
- The “Corner dancers” set normally with 2 Pas de Basques.
Video: New Abbey
New Abbey
Roy Goldring, Graded and Social Dances 2
32 bar strathspey for 2 couples
1—4 First couple dance in, touch nearer hands as they face the top and cast off one place. Second couple step up on bars 3—4.
5—8 First couple dance a half figure of eight around second couple, crossing up to begin.
9—16 Ladies chain. All finish in the sidelines, second man facing first woman and second woman facing first man.
17—18 All set.
19—20 All set to partner.
21—24 First couple dance a half figure of eight, crossing up to begin.
25—32 Second and first couples dance right hands across and back with left hands.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Tune: – Dunie Mains – Traditional
Note: This can also be danced as a jig (Tune: – Any good jig)